A store manager has paid tribute to her caring customers for raising cash for a children’s cancer charity.
Ann Littler, manager of women’s clothes store Wallis, at Eagles Meadow shopping centre in Wrexham praised store-goes for supporting their drive to raise money for CLIC Sargent.
The UK-wide charity’s patrons include former tennis ace Tim Henman, and interior design guru and TV favourite from BBC show Changing Rooms, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.
It provides clinical, practical, financial and emotional support to children and young people, and their families.
From diagnosis onwards they aim to help the whole family deal with the impact of cancer, its treatment, life after treatment, and in some cases, bereavement.
CLIC Sargent was formed in 2005 after a merger between CLIC and Sargent Cancer Care for Children.
Manager of Wallis at Eagles Meadow, Ann Littler, said: “They say that every day, 10 children and young people in the UK will hear the shocking news that they have cancer.
“It’s something our customers have really been supporting. I’m really pleased with the way people have got behind it. It’s a wonderful charity. I can’t imagine what it feels like to find out that your child has cancer. The support that CLIC Sargent gives people is absolutely phenomenal.
“Wallis is supporting CLIC Sargent for 12 months across the UK, with the aim of raising £150,000, which is a huge amount of money. The company has got behind it in a big way.
“We’ve done a few raffles and we’ve got one going on at the moment. We also had a name the bear competition and we’re also selling wrist bands. We’ve got some festive wristbands we’re selling now, and they cost £1 each.
“The name the bear competition was very popular.
“We’re aiming to raise over a £100 in total. In our latest raffle we’ve got five prizes. We have a scarf, a teddy, a candle holder set, a garland, and chocolates.”
Rachel Driver, a support worker for CLIC Sargent, said: “Wallis at Eagles Meadow has been fantastically supportive.
“All the money goes to support young people and their families. We provide professional, financial and emotional support from diagnosis onwards.
“We have our nurses come out to visit children, which saves them from having to travel to the hospital to be treated. Going to hospital can be quite a daunting prospect.
“It’s an anxious time for young people and their family so we’re here to support and to listen.
“We also help families out financially because some people may have to take time off work to care for their sick children.
“I love working with young people. They continue to amaze me with how they cope with cancer diagnosis. It’s very rewarding to be able to help them and their families, and I feel privileged that they allow me in their lives at such a difficult time.”
“We also organise events because young people enjoy being in a peer group environment. They get to be with other people who are going through similar experiences. They appreciate, accept and understand each other.”
